When Women Ambassadors Meet

Perhaps because our President is a woman, certain countries have been sending us women as their diplomatic representatives. Thai Ambassador Busba Bunnag set something of a precedent when five women ambassadors (herself included, of course) gathered at the embassy mansion for a luncheon she hosted for departing Turkish Ambassador Veka Inal.

Seated at the luncheon table amidst an elegant setting were the hostess, the honoree, Ambassadors Irit Ben-Abba (Israel), Navrekha Sharma (India), Milena Santana Ramirez (Venezuela), Consuls Fortune Ledesma (Monaco), Evie Costa (Togo), civic leader Narda Camacho and I.

The stimulating, occasionally provocative talk ranged from the current hazards of international travel (including the paranoia of airport officials), to customs unique to each country and reminiscences. Mrs. Inal has indelible impressions of Filipino hospitality and gentleness, this best exemplified by the non-violent Edsa II.

Conversation inevitably turned to cuisine, exotic Thai, Indian, Indonesian dishes tending to be spicy. However, everyone found the menu that noon fascinating. Before the delightful luncheon ended, we discovered that house guests need not sneak outdoors for a midnight swim because there’s a pool in the basement.

The farewell reception of popular Swiss Ambassador Werner and Susan Baumann had virtually all heads of missions and their ladies bidding them Godspeed and Bon Voyage. Among the guests were Micheline Jess, Hans Kasten, Ambassador Christian Krepela, Ambassador Jacky Foo and Dr. Yumian Su and their cute little daughter who, at her young age, must be thoroughly familiar with the "perils" of a diplomat’s "nomadic" life.

Mia Soeawal Costin is likewise leaving her Filipino friends who call her "Mama Mia", because of her motherly concern and care for them. Her Chinese and Japanese friends also regret her leaving for Australia, her second home. Come back, soonest, Mama Mia!